| Author | Message | ||
| Chris Horner (Cmhorner17)
Junior Member Username: Cmhorner17 Post Number: 139 Registered: 4-2002 |
Thanks Ed! Well, it turns out there's not enough damage to total out my wife's car. Maybe next year then when my car comes due for replacement I can seriously start looking at the Mercs. Oh well. Thanks to all for their input! | ||
| Ed P. (Ebp)
Junior Member Username: Ebp Post Number: 107 Registered: 12-2002 |
Chris, My wife has a 2000 c230 and has put 50,000 miles on it in the past 3 years. It has been a very reliable and good car. Other than basic maintenance, the only thing I would complain about is the front end eating up tires. They tell me this is normal...but that is the dealer speaking. I find the size of it a little small for me, but my wife is petite and is very comfortable in it. I would buy this car again, based on our experience with it. The c240 , which is the "new" model is smaller, so it looks like we are going to the e320 next time. I also know several other people who have the same car and are satisfied as well. my .02 | ||
| Chris Horner (Cmhorner17)
Junior Member Username: Cmhorner17 Post Number: 137 Registered: 4-2002 |
Wow, thanks for all the input everyone. Tyler, the suggestion for a little older E-class is a very good one. Granted, I haven't driven too many Mercedes. The only ones I've had the pleasure of driving are ones I cannot yet afford - and were as impressive as their price tag suggests. The impressions I've gotten is that the older cars were the most rock solid, reliable of the Mercedes line, and the new entry level ones, while nice, leave a little to be desired whem compared to their peers. We'll find out in the next couple of days if our car is going to be totalled, and then can take things from there if we need to look for a new (used?) one. Thanks again to everyone for their help and suggestions  | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 975 Registered: 12-2001 |
The newer low priced mercedes models show just how good the japanese are at building relatively inexpensive cars. To my taste, the only Benz's worth a damn are their top of the line models, or the older cars. We had a brand new C320, optioned up the wazoo, for all of a week, before software glitches brought it down. The company agreed to take the car back after a few well placed phone calls; reluctantly bought a BMW and have never been happier. (BTW, the service on Benz here in the suburbs of NY is appalling; we had good experiences with the factory owned store in Manhattan with an earlier E, but it just proved that the magic of the marque does not really extend to their lower priced cars). | ||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 698 Registered: 12-2001 |
If you want a rock solid benz and don't mind a little older style, find a 1995 E320/E420. They are one hell of a solid car, drive great, reliable as a honda and not expensive to get your hands on. | ||
| William Huber (Solipsist)
Member Username: Solipsist Post Number: 869 Registered: 9-2001 |
Weak rear bumpers & lower body panels, in a 5 mph rear end hit can cost a about $1500 to $2000+ to fix. They don't hold up worth a sh!t. Sorry, I'm still a fan of the older MBenz's. | ||
| Jack Habits (Ferraristuff)
Junior Member Username: Ferraristuff Post Number: 211 Registered: 4-2003 |
It's ok. Thanks. Jack | ||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 696 Registered: 12-2001 |
Jack, I've been a lurker over there for some time now. I have no association with them and I'm not a member of the forum there. | ||
| Jack Habits (Ferraristuff)
Junior Member Username: Ferraristuff Post Number: 210 Registered: 4-2003 |
Tyler, are you involved with www.mercedesshop.com? Jack | ||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 694 Registered: 12-2001 |
look for a 99 c280 sport model. The 6 is much much smoother, sounds like a Mercedes and has MUCH better reliability. You might want to check out www.mercedesshop.com Look in their shop forum for information. | ||
| Andrew Wanamaker (Androza)
New member Username: Androza Post Number: 20 Registered: 2-2003 |
I bought a used BMW 328 sedan a few months ago, and its been nothing but joy. Hasn't had a problem yet, has 30k miles, cost 30300 including taxes and registration, and the 3 series is one of the best looking cars ever made. | ||
| Chris Horner (Cmhorner17)
Junior Member Username: Cmhorner17 Post Number: 136 Registered: 4-2002 |
Oh really? I know for these years they put a supercharger on them, and thought I remembered them being at least as quick as the 6 cylinder car. I know with a 6 we would get a smoother and quieter motor - don't care a whole whole lot about that though. The reliability is suprising though... Thanks for the input! | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 257 Registered: 11-2002 |
They have horrendous reliability. I knew an engineer, when I worked in technology, who purchased one and gave him nothing but problems. I think consumer reports has them really low in some sort of reliability scale too. They're also very slow... | ||
| Chris Horner (Cmhorner17)
Junior Member Username: Cmhorner17 Post Number: 135 Registered: 4-2002 |
Does anyone have any experiences with this model? Specifically a 1999-2000 model? My wife and I might be in a position where we need a new car, and I was thinking about a pre-owned 230. Anything to look for? Or more to the point, any reason to run from one? As always, thanks for the help and opinions |